Quick Facts On Fiji

The island nation of Fiji lies in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,300 miles to the north of New Zealand. This archipelago has more than 800 islands covering about 1 million square miles. Fiji got its independence in 1970 after being under British colonial rule for almost a century. Here are other facts on Fiji, the country and its people.

Facts on Fiji Island

The capital city of Fiji is Suva. It is also the largest city in Fiji and is located on the southeastern coast of Viti Levu, which is Fiji's largest island. Viti Levu is home to about eighty percent of the Fiji population. The big islands of Fiji are volcanic and have many mountains and the smaller ones are coral islands. The climate is tropical with varying amounts of rainfall. Fiji's mountains have dense forests and there are savannas in the west. Coastal areas have dense mangrove forests.

Facts on Fiji People

Fiji is home to diverse races. Native Fijians are mostly of the Melanesian race stock. Its Indian population, which is about half of the island's inhabitants, are descendants of field workers who were brought to the Island by the British. Indians operate most of Fiji's sugar plantations although they are not allowed to own land. While English is Fiji's official language, Fijians have their own native language. About 85 percent of Fijians are Christian Methodists. About 70 percent of the Indian population are Hindus and speak a Hindi dialect. Some 20 percent of Indians are Muslims. There are Chinese and Caucasian minorities.

Facts on Fiji Agriculture

Fiji has a predominantly agricultural economy. Its main product is Sugarcane, which the nation produces for export. It accounts for around eighty percent of the total agricultural product. Other top agricultural exports of Fiji are coconuts and ginger. Fijians also grow rice, sweet potatoes and cassava but these are mainly for the people's own consumption.

Facts on Fiji Insutries

Tourism is also a strong economic booster in Fiji despite some political tensions in the country. Although the two coups it experienced in 1987 greatly affected tourism as well as sugar production, Fiji has been receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly.
Fiji's leading mineral product is gold. It has few industries including garments, consumer goods, and food products but Fiji is developing and diversifying its industrial and manufacturing sectors. Fishing is one industry in the country that has been rapidly growing. Fiji is also conducting some offshore oil exploration and timber production.